Articles tagged with Alcoholism
A study of college students found that female drinkers exceeded national guidelines for weekly drinking, putting them at increased risk for long-term health issues. Weekly drinking limits are lower for women due to differences in alcohol metabolism and blood volume.
A study finds that active smokers with alcohol dependence show more problems with memory, problem-solving skills, and cognitive efficiency than non-smokers. The effects become greater with increasing age, suggesting that chronic cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption exacerbate neurocognitive decline in older adults.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers found that parents with addiction issues are more likely to have depressed adult children. The study analyzed data from 6,268 adults and found a significant association between parental addictions and increased odds of depression in adulthood.
Regular binge drinking in college causes immediate changes in circulation, increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. College students who binge drink may experience impaired vascular function similar to those with daily heavy alcohol consumption.
A new study examines the effectiveness of parent-based interventions in preventing alcohol use among college students. The results show that teens who perceive their friends as more approving of alcohol consumption are more influenced by parental communication about drinking. PBIs can be effective even among those feeling high peer pre...
A CU-Boulder study found that regular aerobic exercise is associated with less damage to the brain's white matter among heavy alcohol users. The study suggests that exercise might repair the damage caused by heavy drinking and could be a promising treatment approach for alcohol problems.
A new University of Iowa study suggests that deployment of a parent puts children at an increased risk for drinking alcohol and using drugs. The study found a three-to-four-fold increase in binge drinking among children of deployed or recently returned military parents compared to non-military families.
Researchers found large variations in animal responses to alcohol, with some showing robust sensitization and others no change. These findings may lead to better understanding of addiction and development of more effective treatment drugs.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have validated a questionnaire to assess youth participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)-related helping activities. The Service to Others in Sobriety (SOS) questionnaire shows promise in identifying youths at risk of relapse and promoting recovery.
Researchers have found genetic variants linked to alcoholism in the Spanish population, including women. The study identified polymorphisms in genes related to metabolism and the dopaminergic system, which are associated with increased risk of hazardous drinking and dependence.
A study found that people who grew up in states with lower minimum drinking ages were more likely to binge drink later in life. The researchers tracked over 39,000 participants and found that those who lived in states with lower drinking ages were 19% more likely to binge drink monthly, especially among men who didn't attend college.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that American Indians are at much greater risk of suicide following acute alcohol intoxication. The study analyzed data from the National Violent Death Reporting System and showed that alcohol-related prevention strategies should focus on suicide as a conseq...
A new study found that mixing alcohol with diet soft drinks can result in a higher breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) compared to the same amount of alcohol consumed with a sugar-sweetened mixer. This can lead to increased risk of alcohol-impaired driving and acute alcohol intoxication problems.
Researchers at UTHealth found American Indians to be significantly more at risk of suicide after acute alcohol intoxication. The study used data from the National Violent Death Reporting System and found that heavier drinkers were more likely to attempt or complete suicide.
A study found a strong association between childhood emotional abuse and reduced serotonin neurotransmission in male alcohol-dependent individuals. The finding suggests that childhood trauma may contribute to the development of alcoholism by affecting brain chemistry.
A University of Iowa-led study found that adolescents whose best friends drink alcohol are twice as likely to have a first drink and three times as likely to begin drinking themselves. The study aims to help specialists predict when adolescents are likely to first consume alcohol to prevent problem drinking.
A new study found that a low subjective response to alcohol, or the ability to 'hold one's liquor,' may protect against short-term alcohol problems but increases the risk of long-term problems as tolerance develops. The study examined associations between early subjective response and acquired tolerance in heavy-drinking young adults.
A study using rodents found that binge-like drinking can cause damage to the hippocampus after 24 hours, indicated by increased expression of vimentin brain protein. Chronic drinking is known to have detrimental health effects, and this research provides new insights into the threshold for alcohol-induced brain damage.
A new study found that lower minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws are associated with more frequent binge episodes and less moderate drinking, persisting into later adulthood. The research suggests that raising the MLDA to 21 can prevent alcohol-related harms in underage drinkers and other people under 21.
The study found that the new diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is unlikely to be much higher in prevalence than the combined diagnoses of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence. Additionally, the genetic etiology of AUD is largely consistent with that of AA and AD, suggesting that heritable influences are shared across all three conditions.
A study found that impaired executive function may exacerbate impulsiveness and increase the risk of developing alcohol dependence in adult offspring of individuals with a family history of alcohol dependence. This cognitive endophenotype is associated with decreased EF capabilities and high levels of impulsivity.
A new study found that drinker identity and brand allegiance are factors linking alcohol marketing and problematic drinking among experimental underage drinkers. Exposure to alcohol marketing is associated with both initiation and progression of alcohol use in youth.
A new study suggests that early drunkenness is a greater risk factor for problem behaviors in teenagers than an early age at first drink. The research found that consuming small amounts of alcohol at a young age can lead to various adolescent problems, such as smoking, marijuana use, injuries, and low academic performance.
A new study reveals that the mu opioid receptor genotype is associated with the pleasant and stimulating effects of alcohol, but not its sedative effects. Individuals with a specific mutation in this gene respond more strongly to alcohol's rewarding effects, which may help predict their risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.
A new study found that AA participation has different benefits for men and women in terms of maintaining sobriety. For women, increased confidence in avoiding drinking during sad or depressed times was crucial, while for men, avoiding companions who encourage drinking was more important.
A new study suggests that moderate drinking can decrease brain cell production by up to 40% in adults, leading to potential harm on learning and memory. Researchers found that rats exposed to low levels of alcohol showed reduced nerve cells in the hippocampus, a crucial area for new learning.
A recent study found that a family history of alcoholism may exacerbate the damaging effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on children's neural functioning, particularly in spatial working memory. The research suggests multiple developmental mechanisms, including insult from PAE and functional differences based on FHP, leading to SWM im...
Researchers found that brain volume recovery can occur within the first two weeks of abstinence, but at different rates for various brain regions. This study suggests that a minimum of two-week recovery program is necessary to help recovering addicts overcome addiction and achieve abstinence.
A recent study found that annualized death rates were 4.6-fold higher for female alcohol-dependent individuals and 1.9-fold higher for males compared to the general population. The study also revealed that females with AD had significantly lower life expectancy, with a mean age at death of 60 years.
A study found that rats who had intermittent access to alcohol exhibited cognitive impairment similar to established alcoholism after just a few months. The researchers linked this impairment to the activation of a small group of neurons that inhibit executive control functions in the prefrontal cortex.
Researchers propose innovative treatments for alcohol dependence, including motor rehabilitation to increase inhibitory control and environmental enrichment to reduce craving. These approaches aim to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the health and social costs associated with addiction.
A new report reveals that mental illnesses and addictions have a significant impact on the health of Ontarians, with depression having the highest burden. The report highlights the need for treatment and reduced stigma to address this issue.
A study of 48 German families found that treatment for alcoholism significantly reduced family costs directly related to a family member's alcoholism. After twelve months of treatment, average costs attributable to alcoholism decreased from 20.2% to 4.3% of the total pre-tax family income.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found a connection between the ghrelin peptide and brain cells involved in alcoholism. The study suggests that blocking ghrelin's activity could help dampen or turn off cravings in alcoholics, offering new possibilities for treating addiction.
A recent study found that symptoms of alcohol abuse, rather than dependence, are a better predictor of familial risk for alcohol use disorders. The researchers analyzed the clinical features of 1,120 twins and found that AUD-associated legal problems were the most consistent single predictor of familial risk.
A new study found that fetuses exposed to heavy maternal drinking required more trials to habituate and exhibited greater variability in test performance. This suggests that maternal drinking during pregnancy can damage the earliest fetal learning abilities, leading to impaired habituation and stability of performance.
A Case Western Reserve University study found that AA-related Helping activities significantly lower alcohol use and increase interest in others over time. Participation in these activities also correlates with increased step-work and meeting attendance, strengthening the commitment to the program.
Research using mice reveals heavy alcohol use rewires brain circuitry, making it harder for alcoholics to recover psychologically following a traumatic experience. The study found that chronic exposure to alcohol impairs the ability to control emotional responses, putting people at greater risk for PTSD.
Researchers at University of Bristol found that participants drank more slowly from curved 'beer flute' glasses than straight-sided glass containing lager, suggesting curved glasses compromise ability to gauge liquid levels and pace drinking. This could have positive impact on reducing intoxication and excessive drinking.
Research suggests that binge drinking is associated with high status and happiness in college, particularly among wealthy, male, white, and Greek affiliated students. However, lower status groups experience increased social satisfaction through binge drinking.
College students who started drinking early or became intoxicated quickly faced increased risks of heavy drinking and negative consequences. The study found that both early age at first drink and progression from first use to intoxication predicted later problems.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found a significant association between binge drinking among women and long-term unemployment. The study analyzed data from 13,031 Swedish residents and found that frequent binge drinking was a stronger predictor of problem drinking for women.
A study published online found that long-term alcohol abuse affects white matter brain volume differently for men and women. Women tend to recover their lost white matter volume more quickly than men with abstinence, while excessive drinking is associated with increased ventricular size in alcoholic women.
A study from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found a link between consuming caffeinated energy drinks mixed with alcohol and having casual -- often risky -- sex among college-age adults. The study suggests that mixing energy drinks with alcohol can lead to unintentional overdrinking, increasing the risk of ...
A study of over 9,600 children in Chile found that 80% had one or more abnormalities associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, with functional neurologic impairment being the most frequent. This highlights the importance of considering prenatal alcohol exposure as a potential risk factor for functional deficits in offspring.
This study found that chronic alcoholism and HIV infection distinctively impact the brain systems involved in procedural learning and visual information processing. Individuals with HIV require repeated practice to achieve maximum benefit, while those with alcoholism demonstrate a consolidation effect that enhances learning over time.
A new study finds that combining community-level and campus-level approaches can decrease severe and interpersonal consequences of drinking among US college students. The approach involves partnering with local residents, city leaders, and colleges to implement environmental strategies and reduce high-risk drinking.
A recent study by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that binge drinking in older adults is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Participants who reported binge drinking at least once a month were 62% more likely to experience significant declines in cognitive function and memory.
A significant association has been found between alcohol dependence and genetic variations on chromosome 5q13.2, a region containing genes implicated in rare neurological disorders. The study, using genotyping arrays, identified two copy number variations (CNVs) that were associated with AD.
A recent study found that a high proportion of smokers calling quitlines also drank at hazardous levels, making it difficult for them to quit. Quitlines can be a valuable resource in reaching these individuals and providing brief alcohol interventions.
The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research (IJADR) aims to address the lack of addiction research in low- and middle-income countries by publishing peer-reviewed papers on cross-cultural perspectives. The journal offers a mentoring program for non-native English researchers, further enhancing its unique features.
A McLean Hospital study found that an herbal extract from the Chinese herb kudzu significantly reduces drinking and slows the pace of consumption. The study's lead author suggests that puerarin, a key component of the kudzu root, may be useful in treating alcoholism and curbing binge drinking.
A study found that neighborhoods with higher densities of on-premise alcohol outlets, such as bars and restaurants, have higher rates of violent crimes compared to those with lower densities. In contrast, off-premise outlets like liquor stores and convenience stores showed a weaker relationship between outlet density and crime.
A new study examining male twins from a veteran population found a strong relationship between early alcohol use, alcohol dependence, daily nicotine use, and fewer years of educational attainment. The study controlled for familial influences, suggesting that substance use may directly impact academic success.
Researchers from Norway created a scale to measure Facebook addiction, finding it more common among younger users and those with anxiety and social insecurity. The study also reveals that people with high extraversion scores are at greater risk of developing delayed sleep-wake rhythms.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that alcoholism impairs associative memory, a component of episodic memory, which is essential for remembering face-name associations. Working memory, another short-term memory system, is also affected, leading to difficulties in holding information in mind.
Research found that adolescent attendance and involvement in 12-step meetings, such as AA and NA, promote greater abstinence among young people. Attending meetings at least once a week or more significantly improves substance use outcomes.
A study found that adolescents are more likely to drink when their peers have pro-alcohol norms, but less likely when they have anti-alcohol norms. Popular peers' anti-alcohol views were most influential in reducing drinking behavior.
A new study examines neural activation among individuals with and without a history of alcohol-induced fragmentary blackouts, suggesting individual differences in how alcohol impacts memory. The study found that some people are more likely to experience alcohol-induced blackouts due to unique patterns of blood flow and neural activity.
A study found that AD patients have difficulties transferring acquired knowledge to new contexts, despite being able to learn and acquire information. This transfer deficit may be related to deficits in declarative learning and dysfunction in the medial temporal lobe region of the brain.